Hand-held controller with pressure-sensing switch for virtual-reality systems

Abstract

A method is performed at a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip, a user-input surface, and a tracking ring. the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted on the grip, and the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor. The tracking ring is coupled to the user-input surface and the tracking ring includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the tracking ring. The method displays an image of a hand on the HMD, and senses pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD. The method displays, on the HMD, the degree of closing the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 in a virtual-reality system comprising a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller, wherein:
 the hand-held controller comprises a grip, a user-input surface, and a tracking ring; 
 the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted, at least in part, on the grip, and the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor; and 
 the tracking ring is coupled to the user-input surface and the tracking ring includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the tracking ring; 
 
 the method comprising:
 displaying an image of a hand on the HMD; 
 sensing pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD; and 
 displaying, on the HMD, a degree of closing of the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing increased pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and 
 the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially closing, in accordance with the increased pressure. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the increased pressure causes the user-input key to partially depress; and 
 the animation shows the image of the hand partially closing. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the increased pressure causes the user-input key to fully depress; and 
 the animation shows the image of the hand fully closing. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing reduced pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and 
 the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially opening, in accordance with the reduced pressure. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the reduced pressure causes the user-input key to partially release from a fully depressed state; and 
 the animation shows the image of the hand partially opening. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the reduced pressure causes the user-input key to fully release from a fully depressed state; and 
 the animation shows the image of the hand fully opening. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in the virtual-reality system, at respective times:
 determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a first threshold pressure; 
 determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a second threshold pressure greater than the first threshold pressure; and 
 determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure; 
 wherein the displaying comprises:
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the first threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully open on the HMD; 
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully closed on the HMD; and 
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as partially open. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first threshold pressure is zero pressure on the analog pressure sensor; and 
 the second threshold pressure corresponds to the user-input key being fully depressed. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the user-input key comprises:
 a casing depressible by one or more fingers of the user; and 
 a switch coupled to the casing, wherein the switch includes the analog pressure sensor. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises detecting a range of pressure inputs applied to the casing by the user. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the virtual-reality system comprises a controller, distinct from the hand-held controller, to control the HMD; 
 the analog pressure sensor comprises a transducer; and 
 the method further comprises, in the virtual-reality system:
 converting the pressure inputs into respective analog electrical signals, using the transducer; and 
 providing the respective analog electrical signals to the controller for display as actions of the image of the hand. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the user-input key comprises a trigger. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the casing is positioned within a recess of the grip; and 
 the switch is positioned in the casing. 
 
     
     
       15. A virtual-reality system, comprising:
 a head-mounted display (HMD); and 
 a hand-held controller, wherein:
 the hand-held controller comprises a grip, a user-input surface, and a tracking ring; 
 the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted, at least in part, on the grip, wherein the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor; 
 the tracking ring is coupled to the user-input surface and the tracking ring includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the tracking ring; and 
 the hand-held controller is configured to:
 display an image of a hand on the HMD; 
 sense pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD; and 
 display, on the HMD, a degree of closing of the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor. 
 
 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing increased pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and 
 the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially closing, in accordance with the increased pressure. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing reduced pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and 
 the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially opening, in accordance with the reduced pressure. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the hand-held controller is further configured to, at respective times:
 determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a first threshold pressure; 
 determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a second threshold pressure greater than the first threshold pressure; and 
 determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure; 
 wherein the displaying comprises:
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the first threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully open on the HMD; 
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully closed on the HMD; and 
 in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as partially open. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the user-input key comprises:
 a casing depressible by one or more fingers of the user; and 
 a switch coupled to the casing, wherein the switch includes the analog pressure sensor. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the virtual-reality system comprises a controller, distinct from the hand-held controller, to control the HMD; 
 the analog pressure sensor comprises a transducer; and 
 the hand-held controller is further configured to:
 convert the pressure inputs into respective analog electrical signals, using the transducer; and 
 provide the respective analog electrical signals to the controller for display as actions of the image of the hand.